Manipur government condemns Mizo National Front's interference in state affairs

GUWAHATI: Manipur government strongly disapproved of the meddling in the internal affairs of Manipur by the Mizo National Front.

In a statement state government stated the Mizoram-based political party, whose Chief Minister was routed in the last State Assembly elections, despite riding on a shrill wave of anti-national pro-Myamar refugee propaganda and anti-Manipur stance, has come out with a press statement calling resignation of Chief Minister of Manipur.

The statement stated to refresh public memory, this political party has been consistently revealing its true colours as an anti-national party with its strong opposition to the efforts of the Indian Government to fence its open borders with neighbouring Myanmar for the purpose of curbing illegal immigration, trafficking of arms and drugs, internal security and defence. Myanmar is the origin of most of the illegal immigration and drugs problems that Manipur has been facing.

"Going a little further back in history, the MNF had run a secessionist movement in the then Mizo district of Assam.The ongoing crisis Manipur is a creation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, whose economy, after illegally settling in the State, driven by cultivation of illicit poppy, had taken a severe hit under Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's War on Drugs. It is not on account of any religious policy of the State Government, as has been falsely portrayed by the MNF and other vested interests, even on foreign soil and in various international fora, through fabricated narratives. The Mizo National Front appears to have also conveniently forgotten that the conflict, on the Kuki side, funded by narco terrorist elements",it stated.

The statement added that the the period between 1969 till present, there has been an increase in number of villages in the districts of Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur and Phezawl by 893, from 731 to 1624. In the remaining hill districts of Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Ukhrul and Kamjong, which are Naga-dominated, the increase during the same period is a figure of merely 49, up from 527 to 576, a mere 9% increase. Is the Mizo National Front aware of the reasons behind this abnormal 122% increase in mushrooming of villages, many of which are in forest areas, in the first group of hill districts, which are Kuki dominated, or which has a sizeable Kuki population?

"The Mizo National Front is reminded that the Mizoram Government, in view of similar concerns of pressure on land, livelihoods and resources, had instructed Myanmar nationals not to purchase land and run business without prior permission from State Government. In addition, the foreigners should also not enrol for Aadhaar, voter list or obtain driving license, amongst others. Why should the MNF oppose the decision of the Manipur Government to tackle the issue of illegal immigration similarly in Manipur?, "

The statement said, "The State of Mizoram has fixed a cut-off date in 1950 for defining Indigenous Persons and Non-Indigenous Persons for the purpose of implementing the Inner Line Permit system.The Mizo National Front will do well to dwell on these lines and ponder over the scale of illegal immigration that has happened since 1951 as voiced by these authors from within the so-called Kuki Zo community, instead of talking about discrimination by Manipur Goverment. Incidentally, the State of Manipur has fixed a cut-off date of 31" December, 1961 for the said purpose subsequently."

The statement stated that the Biren Singh Government has been making continuous efforts towards restoration of peace and normalcy. The Government has been providing food, clothing and shelter to over 60,000 persons staying in relief camps across the State. Combing operations to recover arms and ammunition looted from police armouries continue be undertaken with success. Law-breakers have been brought to book, from time to time. SITs constituted by Centre are supervising investigation of cases.

Sensitive cases have been handed over to NIA and CBI to ensure impartial investigation. A Commission of Inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge is enquiring into the origins of the ethnic conflict. The Government of Manipur will not allow fragmentation of Northeast India at the behest of foreign vested interests cither in Manipur or in its neighbourhood. Any individual, group or organization working with such intent shall be met with the strong hands of the law.